ISU Powerpoint on Audition Prep

PREPARING
A MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION
By: Yasaman Nouri
FIND AN AUDITION
So let’s say you’re auditioning for the show Cinderella
and you would like to audition for the role of
Cinderella.
How do you do it?!
MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED
 An audition binder (containing sheet
music for vocals & piano and
monologues)
 A monologue book
 A song book
 Audition clothing
 Internet connection
 Water & honey
 Resume & Headshot
CHOOSE YOUR SONG
First, you must find out what musical you are
auditioning for (this step is crucial).
Next, you must research the names of the composers.
For example, let’s use the show Cinderella. The
composers are Richard Rodgers & Oscar
Hammerstein's. They are commonly referred to as
the babes of musical theatre composition.
Use your internet connection to look up a list of
musicals written by these composers.
FUN FACT
Julie Andrews and Lea Salonga have both played the role of
Cinderella in Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hmCnOPYxVQ
CHOOSE YOUR SONG
List of Musicals
 Allegro
 Carousel
 Cinderella
 Flower Drum Song
 The King and I
 Me and Juliet
 Oklahoma!
 Pipe Dream
 The Sound of Music
 South Pacific
 State Fair
Research music from
several of the musicals and
find one that is appropriate
for your voice type. An
investment in song books
such as “Musical Theatre
For Classical Singers
Soprano” would come in
handy.
CHOOSE YOUR SONG
Check your audition book and see if any of the songs you
looked up are in there. If you do not have an audition
book, you should start one. An audition book is a book
that has sheet music for vocals and piano that you have
previously practiced or have prepared with a vocal
teacher. Audition books are essential for last minute
auditions because you can choose and practice a song that
you have already prepared beforehand. Every serious
actor should have an audition book.
Choosing a song written by composers that also composed
the musical that you are auditioning for shows the judges
that you can sing in the same style of music.
NEVERS
OF SONG CHOOSING
 NEVER sing a song from the musical that you are
auditioning for unless specified by the director. If they
say ‘you may if you choose to’, then don’t. DO NOT sing
a song from the same musical. It is unprofessional.
 NEVER choose a song that makes you sound like crap.
You will sound like crap and not get the role.
 NEVER choose a song you don’t have both sheet music
for AND accompaniment. You don’t know if there will be
a pianist or if they will require you to have an
accompaniment.
POP QUIZ!
WHICH SONG IS BETTER?
My New Philosophy – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Mister Snow - Carousel
Glitter and Be Gay - Candide
ANALYSIS TIME
Once you choose the song, analyze the crap out of it.
Step one: Write in your own words what every line
of the song means and its subtext.
Step two: Answer the following questions; Who am
I? Where am I? When is it? What do I want? How
will I get it? What do I need to overcome?
(Stanislavski)
MONOLOGUE
 Next, choose a monologue. Invest in a monologue book.
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This is equally as important as investing in a song book.
Once you have chosen your monologue, begin a dissection
of the piece. You can use the same questions are you did for
the song analysis but it needs to be in excruciating detail for
the monologue. Break it down further into beats and tactics.
Know your character inside and out.
Know your moment before and moment after.
Know your play inside and out.
Directors may ask you questions about your piece and if
you don’t know, then you look like a fool and won’t get the
part.
AUDITION TIPS
 If suitable, try to act as the character you are
auditioning for when singing your song. For
example if you’re singing How Lovely To Be A
Woman, sing it more as Cinderella, than as Kim.
 Remember to act when you are singing. Singing a
song means nothing if you do not act and you will
look like crap and not get the part.
AUDITION TIPS
 Have a second monologue and song prepared just
in case. Try to have them be contrasting pieces from
your original monologue and song.
 Surround yourself with constant motivators. Visual
motivators are the best.
AUDITION CLOTHING
Don’t go to an audition dressed like this girl because
you’ll look like crap and won’t get the role.
DRESS LIKE THEM
DRESS LIKE THEM
DANCE
 There will be a dance audition. Try to focus on
learning the routine as fast as you can.
 If you mess up, sell it. If you look like you messed
up but recover from it, that is important to them
and they will be looking for that.
 Be sure to stretch prior to your audition.
Stretching for the dance audition is just as
important as warming up for your vocal audition.
WEEK BEFORE THE AUDITION
Avoid eating fried foods, soy foods, and dairy products.
Practice your scales as well your songs and monologues,
don’t neglect technique.
Preview your audition to family and friends who you
believe will give you beneficial criticism and advice to
improve.
AUDITION DAY TOMORROW!
Don’t worry. You know your stuff. If at this point you don’t feel ready or
don’t think you have prepared enough, don’t go to the audition because
you will look like crap and then not get the part.
AUDITION DAY!
•Warm up vocally and physically.
•If you feel it will help you, go through your pieces.
•Drink plenty of water.
•Consume a lot of honey.
•Don’t be nervous because you know that you know
your stuff. Enjoy it because you might as well!
AUDITION DAY!
•Do not forget your accompaniment (for the
pianist and track if need be)
•Do not forget your resume and headshot
•Do not forget your water and honey
•Do not forget your shoes for the dance
audition.
Break a leg and remember that
hard work always pays off!